U.S. patent application number 10/661708 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for fluorescent lampholder with disconnectable plug on back.
Invention is credited to McCoy, Phillip A..
Application Number | 20050057926 10/661708 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34273916 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050057926 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCoy, Phillip A. |
March 17, 2005 |
Fluorescent lampholder with disconnectable plug on back
Abstract
A flourescent lamp assembly including a reflector having a
cutout, a flourescent lamp and a lampholder. The lampholder
includes a base end positioned within the cutout, a socket
receiving the flourescent lamp and a first plug-in connector of a
first gender for receiving electrical power. The first plug-in
connector is positioned at the base end and generally opposite from
the socket. The first plug-in connector includes a line conductor
and a neutral conductor.
Inventors: |
McCoy, Phillip A.; (Albion,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Todd T. Taylor
TAYLOR & AUST, P.C.
142 S. Main St.
P.O. Box 560
Avilla
IN
46710
US
|
Family ID: |
34273916 |
Appl. No.: |
10/661708 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/640 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 33/0881 20130101;
H01R 33/0809 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/226 |
International
Class: |
H01R 033/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flourescent lamp assembly, comprising: a reflector having a
cutout; a flourescent lamp; and a lampholder including a base end
positioned within said cutout, a socket receiving said flourescent
lamp, and a first plug-in connector of a first gender for receiving
electrical power, said first plug-in connector positioned at said
base end and generally opposite from said socket, said first
plug-in connector including a line conductor and a neutral
conductor.
2. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 1, further including a
power cord with a second plug-in connector of a second gender
mating with said first plug-in connector.
3. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 2, wherein said first
plug-in connector is a female connector and said second plug-in
connector is a female connector.
4. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 2, further including an
attachment element both connectable to said base end and configured
for holding said second plug-in connector to said base end.
5. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 4, wherein said
attachment element is at least one of a spring wire, screw, nut and
bolt pair, tie and electrical tape.
6. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 2, wherein said power
cord is one of a conduit and a cable.
7. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said base end
includes a reflector stop.
8. The fluorescent lamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said
fluorescent lamp has an ANSI G24 base.
9. A lampholder for a fluorescent lamp, comprising: a base end; a
socket for receiving the flourescent lamp; and a first plug-in
connector of a first gender for receiving electrical power, said
first plug-in connector positioned at said base end and generally
opposite from said socket, said first plug-in connector including a
line conductor and a neutral conductor.
10. The lampholder of claim 9, further including a power cord with
a second plug-in connector of a second gender mating with said
first plug-in connector.
11. The lampholder of claim 10, wherein said first plug-in
connector is a female connector and said second plug-in connector
is a female connector.
12. The lampholder of claim 11, further including an attachment
element both connectable to said base end and configured for
holding said second plug-in connector to said base end.
13. The lampholder of claim 12, wherein said attachment element is
at least one of a spring wire, screw, nut and bolt pair, tie and
electrical tape.
14. The lampholder of claim 10, wherein said power cord is one of a
conduit and a cable.
15. The lampholder of claim 9, wherein said base end includes a
reflector stop.
16. The lampholder of claim 9, wherein said fluorescent lamp has an
ANSI G24 base.
17. A method of electrically connecting a fluorescent lamp
assembly, including the steps of: providing a lampholder including
a base end, a socket, and a first plug-in connector of a first
gender, said first plug-in connector positioned at said base end
and generally opposite from said socket, said first plug-in
connector including a line conductor and a neutral conductor;
positioning said base end in a cutout of a reflector; plugging a
power cord into said first plug-in connector, said power cord
including a second plug-in connector of a second gender mating with
said first plug-in connector; and receiving said fluorescent lamp
in said socket.
18. The lampholder of claim 17, wherein said first plug-in
connector is a female connector and said second plug-in connector
is a female connector.
19. The method of claim 17, further including the step of holding
said second plug-in connector to said lampholder with an attachment
element.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said power cord is one of a
conduit and a cable.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein said fluorescent lamp has an
ANSI G24 base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to lampholders, and, more
particularly, to a fluorescent lampholder.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) are physically smaller
versions of standard fluorescent lamps. They typically consume
between 5 to 40 watts, and have a brightness and color rendition
that is comparable to incandescent lights of greater wattage.
Unlike standard fluorescent lamps, some compact fluorescent lamps
can directly replace standard incandescent bulbs.
[0005] CFL's work similar to standard fluorescent lamps. A
gas-filled tube and a magnetic or electronic ballast make up the
two major parts of CFL's. The gas in the tube glows with
ultraviolet light when electricity from the ballast flows through
it, which in turn, excites a white phosphor coating on the inside
of the tube, thereby emitting visible light throughout the surface
of the tube. By bending the glass tube back on itself lamp
manufacturers have succeeded in making CFL's relatively compact.
Incandescent lamps work differently. Much of the electricity used
by the incandescent lamp heats a tungsten filament until it glows
white hot. As a result, incandescent lamps generate far more heat
than a fluorescent light for a given wattage.
[0006] Compact fluorescent lamps are much shorter and shallower
than conventional tubular fluorescent lamps, whether operated with
conventional controls or electronic controls. CFL's open up new
possibilities for economical energy-saving light in smaller and
more elegant luminaires. Despite having virtually the same high
luminous flux and the same power consumption as tubular fluorescent
lamps, CFL's are less than half as long and more compact than
cylindrical and ring-type lamps.
[0007] Typical compact fluorescent lamps are either pin-based (they
plug into a lampholder) or they are medium screw-based (they screw
into a socket the same as common incandescent bulbs). Pin-based
compact fluorescent bulbs can include an abbreviated base
designation according to the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). An ANSI G24 abbreviated base designation can be used to
identify, for example, lamps that are 26 watt, quad tube and 2 or 4
pin base. Another example of a lamp with a G24 base is a 32 watt
triple tube with a 4 pin base, although these examples are not
exclusive.
[0008] G24 lamps plug into a lampholder which is typically provided
electrical input from a ballast or other source of electrical
power. A typical lampholder provides mechanical support for the
lamp, electrical connection for the lamp via pin receptacles,
terminal ports electrically connected to the pin receptacles and
accepting wire connection from the ballast, and four screw holes
for lampholder mounting. A 4 pin lampholder can include rejection
features which prevents the incorrect insertion of a 2 pin
lamp.
[0009] The terminal ports accept the stripped end of a wire. Such
electrical connection can be time consuming, tedious and can
require a skilled technician, such as an electrician, to complete.
Further, screw holes for lampholder mounting, and the corresponding
fasteners, can be time consuming when assembling or disassembling a
G24 lampholder.
[0010] What is needed in the art is a lampholder which provides
reliable and easy electrical connection to electrical input and
mechanical connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a fluorescent lampholder that
can easily be connected to a source of electrical power.
[0012] The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a flourescent
lamp assembly, including a reflector having a cutout, a flourescent
lamp and a lampholder. The lampholder includes a base end
positioned within the cutout, a socket receiving the flourescent
lamp and a first plug-in connector of a first gender for receiving
electrical power. The first plug-in connector is positioned at the
base end and generally opposite from the socket. The first plug-in
connector includes a line conductor and a neutral conductor.
[0013] An advantage of the present invention is it provides
reliable and easy electrical connection to electrical input.
[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is it provides
reliable and easy mechanical connection.
[0015] Yet another advantage of the present invention is it
facilitates efficient maintenance and field service of a
fluorescent lamp assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of an embodiment of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially sectional view of an
embodiment of a fluorescent lamp assembly according to the present
invention; and
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective, partially sectional view
of the lampholder of FIG. 1.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out
herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in
one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown fluorescent lamp assembly 10 which generally
includes lampholder 12, reflector 14 and fluorescent lamp 16.
Second plug-in connector 18 provides electrical connection to
lampholder 12.
[0021] Lampholder 12 includes housing 20 having lamp end 22 and
input or base end 24. Base end 24 includes first plug-in connector
25 which can either be a male or female gender. Lamp end 22 is
configured for releasable connection to fluorescent lamp 16 and
includes socket 23. Base end 24 is configured for releasable
connection to second plug-in connector 18. Conductors 26 include at
least a line and a neutral conductor and electrically interconnect
fluorescent lamp 16 and second plug-in connector 18 when both are
properly connected to lampholder 12. Conductors 26 can also include
a ground conductor, at least one control conductor (for dimming
control as an example) and the like. Second plug-in connector 18
can be either a male or female gender. Reflector stop 28 at base
end 24 registers lampholder 12 relative to reflector 14. Attachment
element 30 (FIG. 2) holds second plug-in connector 18 to lampholder
12. Attachment element 30 is shown as a spring wire, however,
attachment element 30 can be fasteners such as screws or nuts and
bolts, ties, electrical tape and the like.
[0022] Fluorescent lamp 16 includes illumination tubes 40 and base
42. Base 42 includes pins 44 that connect to corresponding
conductors 26 in lampholder 12. When connected to an appropriate
source of electrical energy base pins 44 provide electrical energy
to fluorescent lamp 16 thereby energizing and illuminating tubes
40. Base 42 is shown as a 4 pin ANSI G24 base (there are 2 pins on
the side opposite the pins shown in FIG. 1) however, other base
configurations are possible, such as a 2 pin configuration or other
base types.
[0023] Reflector 14 includes lampholder end 50 with cutout 52
allowing projection of base end 24 of lampholder 12 through
reflector 14 until interference with reflector stop 28. Reflector
body 54 has inner surface 56 that is typically reflective or with a
reflective coating. The shape of reflector body 54, the reflective
inner surface 56 and the type of lamp 16 and position of lamp 16
relative to reflector body 54 determine the light distribution of
fluorescent lamp assembly 10. Mounting flange 58 can facilitate
mounting of fluorescent lamp assembly 10 to a ceiling (not shown)
or can be for ornamental purposes.
[0024] Power cord 64 includes second plug-in connector 18. Second
plug-in connector 18 includes conduit terminals 60 which are
connected to a source of electrical power via power conductors 62.
Power conductors 62 reside in power cord 64 and connect into box
66. Power cord 64 can alternatively be a cable, a conduit, a
distribution harness and the like. Box 66 can be a ballast for
fluorescent lamp 16, and possibly other lamps (not shown), and/or
can be a junction box. Box 66 can have its own source of electrical
power, such as solar cells, fuel cells, batteries and the like (not
shown), or can be connected to the electrical mains (also not
shown). Second plug-in connector 18 is shown as a plug but can also
be a receptacle with a corresponding change in base end 24 of
lampholder 12.
[0025] In use, reflector 24 is mounted in a ceiling (not shown) or
the like. Lampholder 12 is positioned adjacent reflector 24 using
reflector stop 28 as a reference. Second plug-in connector 18 is
plugged into lampholder 12 at base end 24. Fluorescent lamp 16 is
plugged into lampholder 12 at lamp end 22. Attachment element 30
can be use to hold second plug-in connector 18 to lampholder 12.
When power conductors 62 are energized with an appropriate source
of electrical energy, thereby energizing base pins 44 through
second plug-in connector 18 and lampholder 12, fluorescent lamp 16
turns on and illuminates an area with light.
[0026] Lampholder 12 is easily disconnected from fluorescent lamp
assembly 10 by loosening attachment element 30 and unplugging both
second plug-in connector 18 and fluorescent lamp 16, thereby
facilitating efficient service of fluorescent lamp assembly 10.
[0027] Fluorescent lamp assembly 10 can be used with conventional
controls or with electronic controls and dimmer systems.
[0028] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
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